Meet the finalists for the 2018 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award

New this year, TD announced that it will increase its financial contributions to help recognize authors and illustrators outstanding achievements, increasing the overall grand prize amount to $50,000 compared to $30,000 in previous years, making these awards Canada's largest awards in children's literature.

The 10 finalists have created engaging, thoughtful stories about coming-of-age, determination, friendship, and overcoming adversity that will not only pull young readers in but also inspire them to think about a world of different possibilities.

We had the chance to speak with each of our distinguished authors and illustrators about what they think are the best ways to inspire young readers and how to help build their reading confidence.

When the Moon Comes
Paul Harbridge

"Writers and illustrators can spark a child’s imagination by creating delightful settings, characters, and challenges. We can pique young readers’ curiosity by being unpredictable and playful with our ideas, words and images.

Parents and educators can best present a book by playing alongside the children and showing them how they themselves take delight in the story and the images unfolding before them."

Matt James

"Boy oh boy—there a lot of books out there. Old ones, new ones, good ones, bad ones—they are all worth a look or two. Even just for a laugh, sometimes.

Somewhere out there is a bookshelf filled with things that will blow your mind, ideas that could change your life. Get yourself to a bookstore! Even better—go to the library and make friends with your local librarian!"

Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation
Monique Gray Smith

"Fall in love with stories! In many ways, storytelling is the medicine our country needs currently to remind us of what is important; kindness, respect, honesty, love and empathy."

Picture the Sky
Barbara Reid

"Read for pleasure. Be curious. Whatever your interests, there is a book, a poem, a story or some artwork for you. When you read a book you join a conversation, you connect with a community."

Town is By the Sea
Joanne Schwartz

"Look around you and take note of the ordinary things that are part of your everyday life. How would you describe them if you try to write about them? Write bits and pieces. When you are ready, write a whole story and then, revise it and make it even better. You’re on your way."

Sydney Smith

"Look around you and take note of the ordinary things that are part of your everyday life. How would you describe them if you try to write about them?

When you are ready, write a whole story and then, revise it and make it even better. You’re on your way."

Dragonfly Song
Wendy Orr

"Not every book is for everyone. There are hundreds of thousands of good books and you'll probably never be able to read them all. (Sorry, but that's true.) The only important thing is not to give up on reading just because you've tried a few books that you didn't like. I promise there will be one that will be right, and it will lead you to more."

ABCMTL
Jeanne Painchaud

"There are all kinds of books for youth to choose from. Young people will not automatically like those they will be offered but they get suggestions from their friends. As parents, we can also encourage them to pick a book from the family library or visit the local library, if it is not already a regular routine (after all, it's free)."

Bruno Ricca

"I would like to tell young readers that they must believe in themselves, not in a egocentric way of course, but rather to believe that they can offer a different perspective on the world around them. They must invest in themselves: read, go to exhibitions of all kinds, travel, rub shoulders with different people, and get out of their usual surroundings."

Bleu
Philippe Béha

"To develop their literary taste, young readers must choose the kind of books they like and exchange them with their friends. To write, they must invent stories in their heads and put them on paper, as simply as possible."

Le chemin de la montagne
Marianne Dubuc

"Young readers today have access to a very wide of titles specially written for them. I invite them to visit bookstores and their local libraries; there are such treasures, and these places change and evolve. Libraries offer dynamic programming and spending time in a place full of books, it always ends with beautiful discoveries."

Gilles
Mathieu Lavoie

"My advice would be to never stop reading, no matter what kind of book. Share your readings with your friends and family. Always bring a book with you when you leave the house: perhaps you will have the opportunity to continue reading on the bus, the subway, the park, the mountain. Read everywhere!"

Pow Pow, t’es mort!
Marie-Francine Hébert

"Reading gives us access to a larger world than the neighborhood where we were born. It puts in the shoes of other human beings who have reflected on life, death, happiness, sorrow, war, hope ... It makes us feel less alone and animated by greater joy to live. Long live reading!"

Jean-Luc Trudel

"If I had any advice for young readers to encourage or inspire, I would tell them first and foremost to read a few minutes or hours a day, and for fun above all!"

Calling all young readers!

This year, TD and the Canadian Children’s Book Centre are once again partnering with CBC/Radio-Canada to present the $5,000 Fan Choice Award/Choix du public littérature jeunesse.

From September 6 to October 25, young readers are invited to choose their favourite book from the titles shortlisted at https://www.cbc.ca/fanchoice/. One lucky voter will also receive a $500 prize, as well as a visit by one of the nominated authors, book donations and a generous financial donation to their school library.

TD strongly believes in the importance of early learning to build stronger, more resilient youth. Not only is reading a fun activity that unlocks the power of imagination and creativity, but it helps children embrace other forms of literacy that will build their confidence and benefit their lives as adults, such as money skills and financial know-how.

The winners of the English-language awards will be announced on October 29, 2018 and the French-language awards will take place on November 19, 2018. Overall, $125,000 in prize monies will be awarded.

TD is a proud sponsor of several literacy programs across the country including TD Canadian Children’s Book Week, TD Summer Reading Club, and TD Grade One Book Giveaway. TD's promise is about helping people feel more confident, not just about their finances, but about their future. Supporting early learning helps to create the conditions so everyone has the chance to succeed and participate fully in what the future has to offer. To learn how we're helping to open doors for a more inclusive tomorrow through The Ready Commitment, visit http://www.td.com/thereadycommitment